Old-Fashioned Peanut Brittle
There’s something special about homemade peanut brittle. That perfect combination of crunchy roasted peanuts, buttery caramelized sugar, and a hint of vanilla makes this classic candy incredibly hard to resist. Every bite is crisp, sweet, nutty, and packed with old-fashioned flavor.
This homemade peanut brittle is surprisingly simple to make with a few basic ingredients. It’s perfect for holiday treats, homemade gifts, family gatherings, or simply keeping a batch on hand whenever you’re craving something sweet and crunchy.
The secret to great peanut brittle is reaching the correct temperature. Using a candy thermometer makes the process much easier and helps ensure that the brittle becomes perfectly crisp instead of soft or chewy. Once the sugar mixture reaches the right temperature, everything comes together quickly, so it’s important to have your baking sheet and ingredients ready before you begin.
🥜 Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- ½ cup water
- 2 cups roasted unsalted peanuts
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
👩🍳 How to Make Peanut Brittle
1. Prepare the baking sheet
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it with butter. Have it ready near your stove because once the candy reaches the final temperature, you’ll need to work quickly.
2. Make the sugar mixture
Place the granulated sugar, light corn syrup, water, and salt in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has completely dissolved and the mixture becomes smooth.
3. Begin cooking
Bring the mixture to a boil. Once it begins boiling, stop stirring and allow it to cook until the temperature reaches 250°F (120°C).
A candy thermometer is highly recommended for this recipe because temperature is extremely important when making brittle.
4. Add the peanuts
Once the mixture reaches 250°F, carefully stir in the roasted peanuts. Continue cooking, stirring carefully as needed, until the mixture reaches 300°F (149°C) and develops a rich golden-amber color.
Watch the mixture closely during this stage because it can go from perfectly golden to burnt very quickly.
5. Add the finishing ingredients
Immediately remove the saucepan from the heat. Quickly stir in the butter and vanilla extract.
Then add the baking soda and stir carefully. The mixture will foam and expand when the baking soda is added, so be cautious and keep your hands and face away from the steam.
6. Spread the brittle
Immediately pour the hot mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Using a heat-resistant spatula, carefully spread it into a thin, even layer.
Try not to spend too much time spreading it because the candy will begin to harden quickly.
7. Let it cool
Leave the peanut brittle at room temperature for approximately 1–2 hours, or until it has completely cooled and become hard and crisp.
Do not try to break it while it is still warm.
8. Break and serve
Once completely cooled, break the brittle into irregular pieces with your hands or use the handle of a sturdy utensil to help crack it into pieces.
Serve immediately or store the pieces in an airtight container at room temperature.
❤️ Tips for Perfect Peanut Brittle
Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to help distribute the heat evenly and reduce the risk of burning the sugar.
A candy thermometer is one of the most useful tools for this recipe. Reaching 300°F is what gives the brittle its characteristic hard, crunchy texture.
Make sure your peanuts are ready before you start cooking the sugar mixture. The final steps happen very quickly, and you won’t have much time to measure ingredients once the candy reaches the proper temperature.
Be especially careful when working with the hot sugar mixture. Melted sugar can cause serious burns, so keep children away from the cooking area and avoid touching the candy while it is hot.
For the best texture, store the finished peanut brittle in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep it away from moisture, as humidity can cause the brittle to become sticky and lose its satisfying crunch.
🥜🍬 This classic homemade Peanut Brittle is sweet, buttery, crunchy, and packed with roasted peanuts—the kind of old-fashioned treat that disappears surprisingly fast! ❤️✨